Palin's Constituency

My personal preference for McCain's veep would have been Lieberman. I like Joe, and he and John McCain both represent the kind of politician I can think of as "my kind of people". So for someone like me, a McCain/Lieberman ticket would have been a "dream team".

But - as I am reminded daily in my explorations of the political blogosphere - most people aren't "like me". And this is where the genius of the Sarah Palin pick comes in. I like Sarah Palin. I don't share her views on some issues, but I can live with that. And (here's the main point) I think she complements John McCain splendidly.

Unlike Lieberman, Palin is young (and an older Presidential candidate needs that in a VP), she has executive experience, she's female (not a be-all and end-all, but not a matter of complete indifference either), and - most importantly - she's a real conservative.

Put it this way: McCain was seen as, at best, a "borderline conservative" by a lot of people. Adding Lieberman to the ticket wouldn't have won him any liberal votes, but it would have lost him a lot of conservative votes.

Not being a "real conservative" myself, let me turn the floor over to Mark Hemingway at The Corner:

Since I wrote about Palin below, I've been getting a nonstop barrage of reader emails all around one theme — McCain done good:

Awesomely Awesome!!!
I just gave McCain some money for the first time.

and

Add me to the list of people who just went from “Will vote for McCain as lesser of two evils” to “Will donate and volunteer for his campaign”.

and

I just sent a personal check payable to “Palin for Vice President” to the McCain campaign headquarters. Until the selection of Governor Palin, I was prepared to sit out the presidential election – and I am lifelong Republican who cast his first presidential vote for Barry Goldwater in 1964. I hope others do likewise to underscore the importance and value of a ticket that represents traditional Republican views and values.

and

Conservative Evangelical here. Long time NR subscriber and on line viewer. Reagan alt. delegate in 1976 and simply thrilled with the pick. Huckabee first choice. Palin a close second. Brilliant move on McCain's part. Kathryn J. Lopez said this may be the day the conservatives reclaimed our party. Cudos to Big Mac, the next President. Best wishes to NR.

Now I won't bore you with my thoughts on Mike Huckabee. (Hint: "President Huckabee" = "Asher moves to Canada.") But Palin can get these folks on board, and me too, then McCain's done something right.

Go McCain/Palin 2008!

Comments

[Tom the Redhunter]

Hi there. I'm a conservative evangelical Christian, and guess what? I don't like Huckabee either. I can't say I'd move to Canada, but I'd be decidedly unenthusiastic about the ticket.

I understand why you like Lieberman, and he does have many admirable qualities. However, he is basically a Democrat, and liberal on all domestic issues. Choosing him would have alienated so much of the GOP base it would have torn the party apart.

You are right that choosing Palin was a stroke of genius. Obama has been rattled and the Dems don't know how to deal with her. She responds to their attacks with poise and grace, and refuses to play victim. Between the msm and the leftie blogosphere they've thrown a lot at her and she just keeps smiling and campaigning on.

She appears to be their worst nightmare.

We'll see how it plays out, but as of today McCain-Palin is rising in the polls and I'm happy